Common Questions Asked About Homeowners' Insurance
Your home is the place to relax and create memories with your loved ones after a day's work. For most people, it's also the most sizable investment. It makes sense that you want to protect this investment at all costs by taking homeowners' insurance. If you're still wondering whether getting homeowners' insurance is a good idea, this post will answer some of the questions you might have.
Is Homeowners' Insurance Necessary?
While it isn't a requirement by law, having homeowners' insurance is one of the smartest decisions you can make. Depending on your coverage plan, it can cover repair or rebuilding costs if your home is damaged by a storm, fire, tornado, or any other unexpected event. You can also include other things in the plan like your home's valuables, legal costs, and additional living expenses during the periods when your home is being rebuilt.
Besides, mortgage lenders will require you to have homeowners' insurance before agreeing to fund your home purchase. Since they hold a financial stake in your property until you have cleared the loan, home insurance secures their investment in case of damage.
What Happens If You Don't Have Homeowners' Insurance?
If a tornado ravages your home and you don't have home insurance, you'll have to cover the rebuilding costs from your pockets. Now, imagine the money you would spend rebuilding your home from scratch. Again, if a visitor gets injured while on your property, they could file a lawsuit against you. Without homeowners' insurance, you may have to cover their medical bills from your pockets. Clearly, not having home insurance could cost you a lot over time.
How Much Home Insurance Do You Need?
Typically, this will depend on your property's value and your needs. But you don't have to answer this question by yourself. Your insurance company can help you develop a policy that reflects the value of your property and belongings.
Overall, it's advisable to have a policy covering your home's full replacement. Therefore, consider how much it would cost to rebuild your home. After that, think about your personal stuff, including your furniture items, electronics, and clothes. How much would it cost to replace all these high-value items?
Can You Take Additional Coverage?
The standard homeowners' insurance policy isn't comprehensive. It will not cover your artwork pieces and expensive jewelry in case of a loss. Luckily, you can get additional coverage to fill in the gaps as much as you want. The only thing you'll have to do is increase your insurance premiums. You can learn more by contacting home insurance providers.